Stage 8 · Lesson 7 of 9
Talking HTTP with curl
sends requests (the messages browsers use to talk to websites) from the terminal. That makes it the quickest way to test an API or a website. curl -i URL shows the response along with the body.
-X POST -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{...}' sends JSON data. -L follows . -v prints the whole conversation, including the secure connection (TLS) and name lookup (DNS) steps.
Pair it with jq to read JSON answers. When a web page only says "network error", curl tells you whether the server itself is fine.
Common trappasting commands with real into shared chats or shell history that others can see.
A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 1 cheat sheet entry come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with· follow one of these
- GuideFreeInitial Server Setup with Ubuntu (DigitalOcean)
DigitalOcean · Beginner
A clear, widely used checklist for a new user, sudo, SSH access and a firewall on Ubuntu
- CourseFreeThe Missing Semester of Your CS Education
MIT · Beginner
The command-line environment lecture covers SSH, tmux, job control and dotfiles
Practise
Keep handy
Also worth your time
- roadmap.sh: LinuxGo deeper
The server, networking and troubleshooting branches of the Linux map